Introducing Accor’s newest Brand: Handwritten Collection An unforgettable stay awaits guests at Accor’s new Handwritten Collection, where each hotel is uniquely designed for a one-of-akind experience, reflecting the soul and personality of those who love and look after them. From a haven of peace in the bustling Old Town of Tallinn and Art Deco-inspired elegance in Krakow’s sensory splendour, to a slice of British culture and ambience in Toulouse, there’s more to discover in expressively crafted and curated locations. Handwritten Collection hotels invite guests into the homes of the hosts so they can share their passions and express their unique character, from the elegant to the eccentric. What’s more, ‘Handwritten’ is more than just a name, it tells the story of these hotels: inscribed with the personal touches and little quirks of the hoteliers, as if they were written by hand with all of their charm and style. Handwritten Collection joins Accor’s midscale segment, offering an intimate, true connection between hotel and guest, complementing the existing brands in our family and targeting instinctive connectors who look for human connection and an authentic travel experience. Launched in 2023 with 8 hotels and with more than 20 coming soon, the Accor Group aims for the Handwritten Collection to be our fastest growing brand of hotels, with 250 in the collection in 2030. From traditional to contemporary properties, each hotel will be an original, bespoke place thanks to the singular approach which puts the host at the heart of everything.
Corporate payment expert AirPlus International unveiled its transformed brand identity in November whilst at the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference 2023. This move comes as a logical next step, after extensive investments in a new state-of-the-art IT landscape and broadening its focus from business travel management provider to corporate payment player. The embodiment of this transformation is the new brand identity, featuring a bold design as well as the new claim “Smarter payment. Better business.” The declared mission of AirPlus is to make corporate payments as simple and smart as possible, so customers can focus on what matters most to them. To accomplish this, AirPlus is focusing on four key pillars: Customer experience: A big emphasis on offering an excellent individualised customer service with dedicated experts at each step of the journey. Intelligent integration: With close collaboration of more than 60 IT partners to ensure that all solutions can be seamlessly integrated into any customer ecosystem. Quality data & solutions: Providing rich data quality with global acceptance while complying with the highest security standards. Customers benefit from customisable invoices and an automated invoice reconciliation to let their data work for them. Partner network –AirPlus’ industry-leading partner network provides a global scope and worldwide acceptance. Today, it consists of more than 4,000 partners from all industries. The refreshed brand identity is the result of over a year of market research, testing, and conducting interviews with customers as well as partners and marks an exciting new chapter! Discover more here
Clients embarking on a business trip can travel with ease and comfort with Air Transat, with frequent services and flexible fare options designed to suit all needs and travel styles. Voted World’s Best Leisure Airline in 2023 by Skytrax, Air Transat have increased their capacity for summer 2024 with direct routes to Eastern Canada from London Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. With two cabin classes to choose from - Economy and Club Class - each offer multiple fare options to meet everyone’s needs. All Eco fares offer a generous cabin baggage allowance, a meal with a glass of wine, soft drinks, and inflight entertainment included as standard, with optional extras available to purchase up to 24hrs prior to departure. Air Transat now offers Economy passengers the opportunity to upgrade to Club Class with PlusGrade. If their flight is eligible, your clients can select an instant upgrade at the time of online check-in or bid by auction anytime up to 26hrs before departure. Club Class, Air Transat’s exclusive 12-seat premium economy cabin, provides a premium travel experience for both the business and leisure travellers alike. Passengers flying in Club Class can expect VIP treatment the moment they step on board, with wide reclining seats, two checked bags of 23kg each, priority services at the airport, a choice of gourmet meals and a premium selection of drinks on board. Two fare options - Standard and Flex - offer all the advantages of Club Class, with different levels of flexibility to cancel or modify your clients’ flight should their plans change. Choose Air Transat for your clients’ transatlantic travel, with direct flights to Toronto and Montreal year-round and to Quebec City in the summer, and onwards connections throughout Canada and beyond. Visit airtransat.com or contact salessupportuk@transat.com
2023 continues to be a big year for American. This year, the airline has launched or announced more than 50 new routes. With service to more than 350 destinations around the world, American continues to build a comprehensive network across the United States and the world. American will add service to eight new destinations next year, including two not served by any other U.S. carrier – Tijuana, Mexico (TIJ), and Ocho Rios, Jamaica (OCJ). Next summer, American will add service to three new European cities with Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH); Naples, Italy (NAP); and Nice, France (NCE). Domestically, Hyannis, Massachusetts (HYA), and Pasco, Washington (PSC), will join the largest global network of any U.S. airline starting next June, adding more one-stop and nonstop connections across our comprehensive global network. Starting next March, get ready to explore ancient ruins, mystical cenotes, diverse landscapes and white-sand beaches with new service to Tulum, Mexico (TQO), launching next spring. American will offer four daily flights to TQO, more than any other U.S. carrier, offering the most convenient access to this vacation gem from across the country. In addition, customers will have more options to visit Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America with more than 600,000 weekly seats next summer on the largest airline between the U.S. to more than 90 destinations across the region To learn more, visit news.aa.com.
Amadeus Travel Trends 2024: How will we travel next year? Amadeus unveils annual trends exploring what travellers expect in the year ahead. Travel should be meaningful and personal. And it must be centred around the traveller and their changing needs. This is an industry of dynamic change, one that is always evolving and adapting to the latest innovation, fashion, or cultural shift. While it is impossible to know exactly what tomorrow will bring, Amadeus’ position at the centre of the travel ecosystem gives unparalleled insight into the future. Each year, Amadeus consults industry experts from around the world to get a glimpse into the future, and this year is no different. Here are the trends we expect to shape the travel industry in the months to come.
ANA Expands International Flight Services from Tokyo Haneda Terminal 2 ANA has increased the number of international flights departing from Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 2. This now includes all flights from Haneda to Europe (London Heathrow, Paris, Frankfurt, and Munich) and other destinations including Sydney. ANA’s domestic flights also operate from Terminal 2, meaning greater convenience for passengers when transiting to and from other locations across Japan. At Terminal 2, Premium Economy and Business Class passengers can access the award-winning ANA LOUNGE for international flights. The new lounge interiors were designed by famed architect Kengo Kuma, who produced the Olympic stadium in Tokyo, and offer the perfect place to relax before take-off. Click here to view more details.
Better connections for CrossCountry customers from December Rail passengers travelling between Birmingham, Derby and Nottingham will soon benefit from more frequent, more reliable train services. From Sunday 10 December, an extra service per hour will be introduced between Birmingham and Nottingham via Derby as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable upgrades. The changes mean more frequent connections between the West and East Midlands and more options for passengers travelling between Birmingham and Nottingham. For the first time ever, a total of four trains per hour will operate between Derby and Nottingham with services operated by both CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway. CrossCountry’s long-distance customers will also benefit from faster journeys as services between the South West and the North East/Scotland via Birmingham will stop at fewer stations between Birmingham and Derby. The December timetable change is part of the regular drumbeat of upgrades to the national train timetable which help to ensure the best possible levels of service for customers across the country. The additional hourly service between Birmingham and Nottingham has been made possible by the successful completion of work to repair concrete decks above the platforms at Birmingham New Street station. John Robson, CrossCountry's Regional Director for the East Midlands and East Anglia, said: “We’re very pleased to deliver such a significant uplift in services for passengers travelling between the East and West Midlands as part of our regular timetable change this December. “The new timetable will bring improved resilience and better train performance for passengers using this critical rail corridor, and we really look forward to welcoming customers on board.” As well as an increase in services for the East Midlands, the new and improved timetable will also deliver smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers elsewhere on the network. Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “These additional services will complement our timetable to provide customers even more options when they make the journey between Nottingham and Derby. “It’s great for the local economy of the region and will hopefully lead to more people choosing to travel by train rather than sitting in traffic on Brian Clough Way.” Train drivers’ union ASLEF has announced industrial action taking place between Friday 1 and Saturday 9 December Customers planning journeys during this period are advised to check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or on the CrossCountry website.
For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via Twitter @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
Jackie Clark Appointment as Chief Commercial Officer at DiamondAir
DiamondAir are delighted to announce the appointment of Jackie Clark as Chief Commercial Officer effective as of 1st November 2023. Jackie is the most recent addition to the DiamondAir leadership team, bringing over 25 years of experience of the global travel industry to the organisation. She is a well-known and respected member of the travel industry who brings together a wealth of knowledge from sales and commercial roles within the airline Industry. Having spent nearly 20 years at British Airways within corporate, trade and consumer sales divisions, Jackie has honed her sales career at British Airways in a variety of senior level roles. Having spent a number of years working and living in India for British Airways together with her knowledge and experience of the Far East with Japan Airlines, Jackie’s onboarding brings the experience required to strengthen the future ambition of DiamondAir in the development of global regions. Currently, as a board member of the ITM Jackie is embedded into the travel community and a true ambassador for the travel industry and now DiamondAir. Christina Lawford, CEO and Founder of DiamondAir comments “Diamond Air is delighted to announce Jackie’s arrival to the Management Team, she brings a wide array of commercial sales experience to our business and expertise in the aviation industry. Jackie’s arrival couldn’t be more timely as we look to further grow our product portfolio in 2024.” For more information about DiamondAir products and services please visit our website www.diamondairinternational.com or contact one of the account management team a sales@diamondairinternational.com
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easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, picked up the Best Short-Haul Airline Award at this year’s prestigious Business Travel Awards Europe which took place on 30 October. Recognising industry leadership, partnership and innovation, entries for the awards were received from companies, teams and individuals from across Europe, and were assessed by an independent panel of judges comprising 29 travel buyers and consultants. Judges of the Business Travel Awards Europe praised the airline's sustainability efforts, along with its partnership with Airbus, which allowed the airline to provide travellers with additional routes, specific fares, and a wider range of flight options in order to improve the traveller experience. The airline won the Achievement in Sustainability award at the inaugural Business Travel Sustainability Awards earlier this year, which recognises companies that are leading the way in advancing sustainability within their own operations and for their business customers.
Emirates Premium Cabins Make your clients’ journey as comfortable and memorable as possible by upgrading them to Premium Economy*, Business Class or First Class and let them sample all the exclusive luxuries of the Emirates experience.
Premium Economy: It’s the little extra comforts that make the journey. When flying in Premium Economy on selected A380 flights, passengers enjoy more space and a premium dining experience surrounded by a sophisticated cabin interior. Wider, luxurious cream leather seats, extra room to stretch out on raised cushioned leg rests and the latest entertainment on a 13.3 inch HD TV.
Business Class: The journey starts with complimentary Chauffeur-drive‡ transfers and access to Business Class airport lounges. On board, travellers will find a most luxurious living space in the sky with the finest leather seats that fully recline, an in-seat mini-bar, 23-inch HD-TV and the Onboard Lounge on A380 aircraft, where they can stretch their legs and socialise over a handcrafted cocktail. They’ll enjoy gourmet cuisine served on Royal Doulton fine bone china and complimentary champagne.
First Class: When travelling First Class with Emirates your clients will enjoy their journey from the very beginning, from complimentary Chauffeur-drive‡ to contemporary lounges, including a First Class lounge with direct boarding at Dubai. In the air, it’s as close as it comes to a private jet. Travellers can slide the doors closed and unwind in their own Private Suite complete with widescreen TV and savour fine dining whenever the mood takes them. On the Emirates A380 they can relax over cocktails and bistro bites with fellow travellers in our iconic Onboard Lounge and refresh mid-flight in our exclusive Shower Spa, complete with luxurious Bvlgari toiletries.
*Premium Economy available on selected A380 flights. ‡Chauffeur-drive mileage limitation applies. For more information visit www.emirates.partners
The future of European train travel has arrived Eurostar and Thalys have made history by becoming the first high-speed rail companies to join forces. Operating under the Eurostar name, it means our network is now bigger than ever before, with easier connections between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Go greener with Eurostar Travelling with Eurostar isn’t just hassle-free and comfy – it’s kind on the environment too. In fact, it’s our goal to become the backbone of sustainable travel in Europe and provide a lower carbon solution for businesses. On average, the carbon footprint of travelling on our trains is 95% less than flying and 90% less than going by car.* What’s next? To better serve our corporate clients, we’ll be launching a new commercial offer in 2024 that will reflect our new extended network. Look out for further details soon. For more information, please contact our corporate sales team at corporate.team@eurostar.com. *Calculations taken from an independent study carried out by EcoRes SCRL in July 2023. For full details, see eurostar.com/uk-en/sustainability.
Greengage to support BTA members along the green pathway Greengage Solutions recently joined the BTA as an Industry Partner. The consultancy and certification company supports organisations around the globe at any stage of their sustainability journey. From discussions on where and how to start being more sustainable through to measuring carbon output and importantly offering a straightforward, affordable certification system - ECOsmart, that gives meaningful and easy-to-understand insights into a company’s sustainability intentions and actions. Commenting on the new BTA collaboration, Andrew Perolls (founder and CEO of Greengage) says, “Our aim is always to help, guide and educate - establishing sustainability firmly on the agenda in a way that is easy yet powerful and real”. Perolls continues, “We are looking forward to being active members of Planet Plan as well as supporting individual travel management companies and hotels on their sustainability journeys, through the Greengage ECOsmart certification scheme”. www.greengage.solutions
HotelREZ has over 2,500 independent properties worldwide in 100+ countries. We are proud to present to you Marrable’s Hotel (formerly The Zetter Hotel): an architecturally-inspired London hotel.
A uniquely designed boutique hotel located right at the core of London’s creative neighbourhood, Clerkenwell. From a luxurious suite to well-appointed and chic club rooms, all the bedrooms offer a quirky and very British home from home. Creatively designed with plenty of quirky details, you’ll love the hotel’s bedrooms and suites for a quiet and cosy night’s sleep. You’ll be right at home in the rooms, with luxurious amenities and offerings to enhance your stay, including: ·The White Company products ·Personal BOSE/Marshall system ·Flat Screen TV ·Complimentary Still & Sparkling water ·Hypnos Beds ·Raindance showers ·In-Room Workstations ·Fluffy bathrobes, slippers ·Premium cotton linens ·Oversized bath towels
Available to book on the GDS under the HO chain code Apollo/Galileo: 16822, Worldspan: LHRZE, Amadeus: LONZET, Sabre: 17192
Read more https://marrableshotel.com/
Within the past year, JetBlue has expanded the transatlantic network by adding Paris and Amsterdam! But why stop there? For the summer of 2024 JetBlue has announced three seasonal flights from Edinburgh and Dublin! Dublin will have two daily flights to New York JFK and Boston. The inaugural from Dublin for both flights is on 14 March 2024. Edinburg will serve one daily flight starting on 23 May 2024 (Westbound). These three flights will be operated on the Airbus A321neo with Mint. A slightly different version than the A321LR, but rest assure though, comfort is still a priority! The Mint cabin houses 16 private Suites, of which two the Mint Studios. In Core there are 144 seats with 42 in Even More Space! While JetBlue already offers the most legroom on an American airline in coach, Even More Space offers an additional 5” on top of the 33” legroom pitch. Besides the comfort of extra legroom to stretch their legs, customers who book Even More Space can also use the expedited security at departure airports when available and have early boarding! The Pantry (located in the middle of the aircraft, between Mint and Core on this model), free wi-fi and on demand entertainment are also available on these flights! Keep an eye on our agent’s page, AgentWorld for more information and updates!
Gran Meliá, the luxury brand by Meliá Hotels International, is getting ready to open its latest project in Barcelona: Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel. The company, which earlier this year announced the addition of this iconic property (the former Rey Juan Carlos I Hotel) to its portfolio. With this latest venture, Meliá aims to restore the glory of the old hotel and gardens, converting them into an oasis of calm and urban luxury in the upper part of Avinguda Diagonal, to provide the perfect option for discerning travellers who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. After a comprehensive refurbishment, the hotel will open its doors again in January 2024 to offer a luxury accommodation experience with its 391 rooms and suites, along with an incredible range of services and facilities, including 18 indoor and outdoor event spaces, various pools and the very best wellness experiences, among other things. Alongside the upcoming hotel, the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya is now fully up and running. This space plays a crucial role in serving as an essential complement to the hotel and offering the perfect infrastructure to attract customers from the MICE segment. With improvements to its facilities and brand-new technological equipment, the Palau offers 39 adaptable spaces of varying sizes, an auditorium that can host up to 2,000 people, numerous multifunctional indoor and outdoor areas, and an exhibition space with a surface area of over 4,000 m2. Please visit www.melia.com for more detail
Minor Hotels to Debut in Finland with NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa
Minor Hotels announces the upcoming launch of its first property in Finland – the five-star NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa – as part of its expansion plans in the region. Currently under construction in partnership with Ylva and slated to open during Q1 2024, this will be Minor Hotels’ second property in the Nordic region, after the opening in 2021 of the NH Collection Copenhagen. The new Helsinki hotel will combine two of the city’s most iconic and recognisable buildings: the Kaleva building (known as the Hotel Seurahuone) and the New Student House (home to the famous Hansa Hotel between 1924-1968), as well as a more recently constructed extension. A full refurbishment of the two existing buildings and the construction of the third by Ylva are in the final stages and when it launches next year NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa will offer 224 contemporary guest rooms a restaurant, a lobby bar, a rooftop bar with a spectacular terrace and 360º views of central Helsinki, extensive spa and fitness areas, and nine meeting and event spaces. The new NH Collection will be located on the main street of Helsinki, Mannerheimintie, in front of the central station, 25 minutes by car and 33 minutes by train from the airport, making the property the perfect spot for business and leisure travellers wishing to stay in the heart of the city. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, commented, “We are pleased to announce our first property in Finland and consequently increase our presence in the Nordic countries. We believe this is a market with significant growth potential for Minor Hotels, so we are investing in iconic properties such as the upcoming NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa and the NH Collection Copenhagen.” Leea Tolvas, CEO of Ylva, commented: “We are very excited to bring a new operator to the market, known worldwide for its unique luxury destinations. Last year, 3.7 million overnight stays were recorded in Helsinki – a much higher figure than in 2021. The growth is expected to continue, and there is room in the market for high-quality hotels, especially for discerning tourists seeking luxury and premium experiences.” Elsewhere, NH Collection has recently launched its first hotels in the Middle East and Asia: the NH Collection Dubai The Palm and the NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort. Recent additions to the NH Collection portfolio in Europe include NH Collection Milano CityLife, NH Collection Frankfurt Spin Tower and NH Collection Prague Carlo IV. In addition, the brand plans to open NH Collection Chiang Mai Ping River in Thailand and NH Collection Luang Prabang in Laos, both in 2024, as well as a number of new properties in China during the year ahead.
Work trips made easy A business choice you can trust Did you know we’re the UK’s top rated hotel chain? It’s the second year running that we’ve been voted Best Budget Hotel Brand at the Business Traveller Awards 2023. So, you can feel confident when you’re booking business stays. Most of our rooms feature a kingsize* bed, so your clients can rest easy and you’ll find reliable WiFi too, so they’ll always stay connected. Want more? Get more. Our Premier Plus rooms come with faster WiFi, a coffee machine, complimentary snacks, rainfall shower, plus more space to work and relax too.
Opening new hotels, home and abroad We opened 15 new hotels in 2023, with two new Premier Inns in Dublin City Centre and five new hotels in England... Abingdon, Birmingham City Centre, our first ‘all-electric’ hotel in Swindon and two new Hub by Premier Inn hotels in London (Camden and Clerkenwell). We’re growing overseas too and now have over 50 sites in major cities and hubs across Germany, including recent openings in Berlin Airport, Frankfurt City Europaviertel and Wiesbaden City Centre.
We’re a force for good As part of the Whitbread family, we’re proud of our Force For Good (FFG) Programme. One of our key focuses: to reduce our environmental footprint and contribute to a greener, cleaner future. 98% of Premier Inn hotels in the UK are powered by renewable energy. We’re also committed to eliminating all single use plastic by 2025, cutting food waste by 50% by 2030 and water consumption by 20% per guest by 2030.
We’ve got you covered With over 83,500 rooms in more than 840 hotels across the UK and Ireland, we’re where you need to be, with a hotel experience you know and trust. Clients travelling worldwide? It’s good to know we are located at every major airport throughout the UK.
To find out more visit: premierinn.com/business *A small number of rooms have twin, double or single beds.
Business travel is undergoing a significant transformation, and we've listened to the feedback from customers, business travelers, and our ecosystem of travel partners. As business takes to the road, rails, and skies again, business travel needs to be more adaptable than ever. SAP Concur is rebuilding business travel in a way that gives companies more control, more visibility, more built-in safety, and better experiences for their travelers. More confidence and clarity in their travel spending and the ROI it's delivering. Now is the time to build flexibility into their program and sustainability into their policies. With the Evolution of Concur Travel, we are building a solution that will meet travelers’, customers’ and travel partners’ needs in today and tomorrow’s business travel environment. The re-platformed Concur Travel online booking tool features a new, consumer-like user experience, robust content, and smart solutions. It aims to make the people involved in business travel at their company more effective. SAP Concur has worked closely with our global and regional TMC partners to help hundreds of customers in the U.S. on the Sabre GDS go live successfully with the first release of the new Concur Travel experience, and we’ll begin the work with our partners to deliver the new experience on Amadeus and Travelport through 2024. More than ever, our partners, many of whom are BTA members, will be pivotal to our success. Join us on the evolution of Concur Travel. (click here for regular updates - https://go.concur.com/Travel-Evolution.html) At SAP Concur, we give businesses the power to automate, connect, and simplify their expense, travel, and Accounts Payable processes. Online Corporate Travel Booking, Travel Management Software - SAP Concur
Skycop: Converting Flight Delays into Financial Compensation Skycop is your advocate in the face of flight disruptions. We specialize in assisting passengers to claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Depending on the specifics of your journey – the distance and the length of the delay – you could be entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600.
Our Background Founded in 2017 by AviaSolutionsGroup (ASG) shareholders, Skycop has rapidly become a key player in the airline flight claim management industry, ranking third in Europe and the UK, and first in the Baltics for size and brand recognition. ASG, our parent company, has a global presence in over 100 countries and is co-owned by Certares, a significant travel-focused private equity fund.
Our Services Flight Disruption Compensation: We assist you in claiming compensation for flight delays and cancellations from €250 to €600 Additional Expense Claims: We help you recover costs for additional expenses incurred due to flight disruptions Skycop Care Membership: For just €2.67 per month, enjoy comprehensive coverage for unlimited flights, including priority service and SmartDelay access SmartDelay Access: Complimentary lounge access during significant delays Referral Program: Share Skycop with your friends and earn a €50 reward each
Global Reach We offer assistance for compensation claims for disrupted flights up to 3 years ago in the EU and 6 years in the UK, including international flights departing from these regions.
Why Choose Skycop? Flight disruptions may be unavoidable, but with Skycop, they can also be financially rewarding. Choose Skycop for your next travel disruption – we turn delays and cancellations into opportunities for compensation.
How to seamlessly integrate serviced apartments into your travel programme A recent trend noted by SilverDoor reveals that, while business travellers may be taking fewer trips overall, their durations are longer. As a result, serviced apartments are claiming their rightful place within travel programmes and are perfectly suited to accommodate longer stays. In comparison to an equivalent hotel stay serviced apartments offer the space to suit more autonomous living, can enable healthier eating habits with greater self-catering facilities alongside the added benefits of domestic support if required and reduced overall costs. They also provide more space and comfort to work, exercise or accommodate guests or pets to further support employee wellbeing and productivity. Integrating serviced apartments into your travel programmes is easy and begins with data. It's crucial to understand where you need them and, on average, how long for. Combine the above with expense data to identify any apartments that have been previously booked out of policy. Dos and Don’ts: Engage with your client to get ‘buy-in’ and incorporate their input: satisfaction rates are always higher when they feel part of the process Discuss with a reputable serviced apartment agency provider who can identify operators, negotiate corporate rates and aggregate serviced apartment content into one booking process Don’t launch with too many apartments in your programme: It is always easier to add more than to potentially dilute your spend across many providers and lose negotiation leverage Booking with SilverDoor brings autonomy, flexibility and supports wellbeing and employee-centred travel policies. To find out more please visit the website or call +44 (0)20 8090 8090
Sirius is the UK’s leading recruitment company dedicated 100% to the business travel sector. Founded in 2003 by Lynne Griffiths, who after 20 years working for TMCs, identified a gap in the market for a specialist recruitment company, focussing on management and board positions. We work with all organisations in the business travel ecosystem: TMCs, airlines, technology providers, M&E, hotels, payment solutions and mobility companies. Our team has held senior positions in the industry, so we bring a unique and knowledgeable insight to the roles and organisations with whom we work. Whether individual contributor or leadership roles, we recruit for all disciplines including operations, bid, finance, HR, data, IT, product, implementation, sales, account management. However, did you know there is more to us than just recruitment? We assist clients with the full talent life cycle: recruitment, development and retention. HR Support – We provide expertise on a retained, project or one-off basis, including updating company policies, exit interviews, employee engagement, employee law or general advice. Talent Development - We provide tailored training solutions including sales, customer service, presentation skills, performance management, leadership and ILM Qualifications. Mentoring Programmes - We manage tailored programmes to benefit both businesses and employees which deliver tangible benefits such as employee retention, performance and profitability. Coaching - Our network of qualified coaches work with individuals to maximise their potential. Outplacement Support - Practical and emotional support is provided to employees during the challenging times of redundancy.
Travel is a people business. We are travel people. We are proud that this sets us apart. We are a proud BTA partner. Please visit www.siriustalent.co.uk
Global corporate accommodation booking agent, Situ, acquires short-term rental technology company, Rentivo, to unify sector & create single data standard.
Exeter, UK: 28 November 2023 Global corporate accommodation booking agent, Situ, has announced the acquisition of the full technology stack of short-term rental company, Rentivo. This move aligns the professionally operated, short-term rental space occupied by Rentivo with the well-established global corporate housing and serviced apartment inventory of Situ. The amalgamated platform created by Situ will provide a space for serviced apartment, home, and aparthotel operators to stand out from private hosts. It will allow them to showcase their properties to a clientele seeking accommodation that has been checked for quality and compliance, suitable for mid- and extended stays, as sought by the business travel, relocation, mobility, insurance, and government sectors. Rentivo, best known for their property management and connectivity systems, has powerful content, pricing, and availability tools which connect with operators directly, which — now aligned with the Situ platform — allows Situ to offer one of the most extensive networks of diverse, quality, vetted accommodation in the extended-stay sector. Speaking about the acquisition, Phil Stapleton, CEO and Founder of Situ, says, “It’s been my long-held ambition that Situ will become the data standard and repository for the professionally managed, extended stay sector. The acquisition of Rentivo brings us very close to that position. We want to be known by our global property partners as the single source to load inventory; by our industry partners such as travel and relocation management companies as the place to access inventory; and by our clients as their most trusted accommodation partner to find, book, and manage a wide and diverse range of quality extended stay housing, globally.” Phil also highlights the advantages of this acquisition to corporate travel and relocation buyers, adding that, “Enquiries for properties outside of traditional corporate housing locations continue to increase, while stock diversity and availability remain barriers in core markets, so a widening of professionally managed inventory will be welcomed by the buying community.” Richard Vaughton, CEO and Founder at Rentivo, goes on to say that, “The agreement with Situ represents an alignment in the evolving mid-term market segment, where the infusion of sophisticated technology for any company to operate is not just necessary, but vital. This is poised to yield substantial benefits, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation and excellence.” The alignment of Rentivo and Situ’s technology adds to the fast-growing range of Situ channel managers and property management software integrations, including Siteminder, STAAH, Rentals United, Avantio, Supercontrol, and more, making it easier than ever for professional operators of mid-term and extended stay accommodation to load their portfolios and gain exposure to corporate demand.
Snowfall expands in Australia with CT Partners deal
Snowfall is continuing to expand into the Australia market and challenge legacy providers with its ground-breaking multimodal travel sourcing and booking platform, Junction. The global travel tech specialist has signed a strategic agreement to become a preferred technology provider to CT Partners, Australia’s largest network of independently-owned corporate travel management firms and premium leisure agencies. CT Partners was founded in 2004 by a group of Australian owned travel companies who aspired to create a partnership that was designed to serve the needs of their travellers and ensure the best possible commercial outcomes for their businesses. Today CT Partners’ membership has reached 31 agencies, with a combined turnover of more than AUD$2 billion. The agreement sees CT Partners offer Snowfall’s Junction platform to its TMC members. This includes the consumer-grade multimodal booking and trip management tool, Junction One. Junction One offers a gateway for TMCs and corporates to provide business travellers and travel bookers with access to the unrivalled global cross-vertical content and first-to-last mile traveller experience provided by Junction’s cloud-native multimodal travel content marketplace, Junction Go, and innovative traveller assistance and disruption management functionality, Junction Plus. The announcement builds on Snowfall’s launch in Australia in June this year when it signed deals with global TMC Traveltrust and Gray Dawes Group’s Australian agency acquisition, MP Travel, both members of CT Partners, to implement Junction One for their corporate clients. Earlier this month, Snowfall also signed Bay Travel, another of CT Partners' member TMCs, to its Junction platform. Stefan Cars, CEO, Snowfall commented: “This is game changing for the market; CT Partners is empowering its members by delivering cutting-edge shopping, booking, and content solutions to their customers.” Cars emphasised Snowfall's excitement in establishing a strategic partnership with CT Partners, a highly influential and respected travel buying network in Australia. “Gaining access to the Junction platform through this partnership will provide a competitive edge for TMC members affiliated with CT Partners,” he said. “The technology will enable them to offer their customers an advanced, consumer-friendly booking experience supported by the world's largest marketplace of bookable content. This includes NDC content, which will not only enhance value and choice for corporate clients but also create new revenue opportunities for their businesses. Additionally, the availability of Junction Go's NDC content is particularly significant for the Australian market as it eliminates the need for TMCs and their clients to seek NDC fares outside of their booking tools” Matt Masson, CEO, CT Partners, said: “We are delighted to form this strategic relationship with Snowfall as a preferred technology partner. There is a lack of competition in the market, particularly in terms of online booking tools and we believe Junction will help members to become more competitive while providing our customers with a next generation user experience. We’ve been impressed with the way that Snowfall has listened to TMCs in the market, has understood their technology painpoints, and recognised an opportunity for Junction to fill a gap.”
In October, TransPennine Express published our prospectus which provides a clear outline of the issues that we have faced recently and defines the steps we will take to make journeys better for all of our customers. The document sets out our focus to make journeys better and we will reassert our role in delivering premium quality sustainable train services that connect the major towns and cities across the North of England and into Scotland. Making Journeys Better – Our plan for the future • Stabilising the operation to deliver better reliability and punctuality; • Re-engaging with our customers, colleagues and stakeholders, and; • Transforming our network through innovation and investment in better facilities Through the long-term plan we will also deliver a number of short-term initiatives designed to give a better and more reliable service to our customers. Those initiatives include a temporary timetable and fleet amendments to simplify operations and boost reliability, improvements to our catering offer, a programme of toilet improvements on trains, the recovering of all seats on trains, and a refresh of the older trains to include the replacement of carpets and an interior deep clean You can view the document via our website using the following link: Making Journeys Better | Our Plan for the Future| TransPennine Express (tpexpress.co.uk) We know there is a lot to do to restore confidence in TransPennine Express we believe we now have the foundation that enables us to deliver our plan for the future.
Waking up to a new era of business travel Corporate travel is undergoing a massive transformation right now. What’s driving it? Big societal shifts. Remote working has stuck around, offering employees greater well-being and more work-life balance. Meanwhile, organizations are dealing with an ever-changing financial landscape and new environmental pressures. And at the same time, consumer trends are bleeding more and more into corporate ones. Combined, this means a whole lot of new expectations and friction to manage when it comes to business travel. Travelport is here to help. Having acquired Deem earlier this year, we’re doubling down on our efforts to modernize business travel. And that starts by finding out what today’s business travelers care about most, and then using these insights to help companies and TMCs get it right. We’ve identified six key trends for the year ahead, using our own research, third party industry sources, and through the collective brainpower of our customers. And we’ve crafted suggestions to help modernize your approach to corporate travel and keep everyone happy. Read the report: https://hubs.la/Q029TdlZ0
General Agreements What are they and why are they so important for TMCs? Following on from their Webinar for Members about General Agreements earlier this year (available here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebta/episodes/General-Agreements-Between-TMCs-and-Corporate-Customerse29im23) in this Article Travlaw set out in writing a bit more about what a General Agreement is and why it is important! What Is A General Agreement? It’s the usual contract in place between the TMC and its corporate client. It sets out the contractual terms between the parties but includes some provisions unique to TMCs. Why do we call it a “General Agreement”? As opposed to a “Master Services Agreement” or similar? The term comes from the 2015 EU Package Travel Directive, which in the UK was implemented by the now-well-known Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (“PTRs”) and is also mirrored in The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) Regulations 2012 (“ATOL Regulations”). Both sets of legislation provide an exemption for TMCs offering travel services to businesses that are using those services in connection with their “trade, business, craft or profession”. That exemption means that the usual rules can be dis-applied even if what is being booked would otherwise be a package. That makes using the exemptions very attractive to a TMC! The General Agreement should make clear the following: 1. That the contract is a ‘General Agreement’ for the purpose of relying on the exemptions under the PTRs and ATOL Regulations, as such, the contract should make clear that passengers travelling under such a contract will not have all of the benefits and enhanced rights that a typical leisure passenger would have under those schemes; 2. That the TMC is utilising the entirely legitimate exemptions to the Package Travel Regulations and ATOL Regulations; 3. The general agreement is only for those travelling for the purpose of their trade, business, craft or profession (i.e. business travel!). Leisure passengers should be directed to other booking channels where possible. 4. Additionally, and this is not strictly connected to the exemptions mentioned above, but we find most TMCs act in the capacity of an Agent – sourcing and facilitating the booking of those travel services rather than being the provider of those travel services. This needs to be set out clearly here following discussions between TMCs and their financial advisors. The benefits of a General Agreement are that it can ensure that the TMC does not have the burden of compliance with ATOL Regulations or the PTRs, relieving TMCs from extra financial and administrative requirements. Furthermore, it enables the TMC to set out and protect its agency status and therefore avoid the scope of TOMS VAT (Tour Operator Margin Scheme). Other important considerations are: 1. The General Agreement is, at its core, a “Master Services Agreement” by another name so will typically not be used for ‘one-off’ bookings. The Package Travel Directive suggests that it should be used for ‘numerous travel arrangements for a specified period’. So, it’s a “framework” type of agreement between the TMC and Corporate Client for a period of time, where multiple bookings for business travel purposes are made within that time/contracting period. 2. It should not be used for leisure travellers or those not travelling in connection with their ‘trade, business, craft or profession’. 3. Failure to satisfy the requirements of a General Agreement could place the agency status of the TMC at risk, it could also bring about a non-compliance issue, where the TMC is falling foul of both the PTRs and the ATOL Regulations. In our experience corporate clients are entirely happy to work on the basis of a General Agreement. There are, of course, the usual commercial negotiations to be gone through, as usual – and that should be where your focus should be as a TMC, without having to worry about the status of your General Agreement! For further advice on General Agreements, contact the Travlaw Team on advice@travlaw.co.uk. Or call us on 0113 258 0033
Award Winning ESG Solutions, Supporting 15 of the 17 United Nations SDG’s Trees4Travel continues to ‘grow’ exponentially not only on the ground, but with many more global partnerships and through the development of its hybrid climate packages; the latest addition and recently launched ZEERO programme, also just won the ‘Economic Advancement Award’ presented by A World for Travel and Tourism Resilience Council. ZEERO is a joint venture sustainability fund, an initiative that will allow ownership and voting by industry partners for projects such as salt-water micro-algae biofuel production and renewable energy destination projects. A unique chance for travel companies to have a say and stake in climate contributions that are good for planet, people, and their company’s balance sheet, turning sustainability into being an asset and potential profit centre rather than a cost centre. To achieve ESG goals, we need to assume responsibility for, and team up to tackle, supplier and customer emissions but also look at solving the root cause of the climate crisis, by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and investing in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable. ZEERO is the opportunity to unite a fragmented industry, leading the way to scale climate action fast. By collaborating and supporting ZEERO, we can start to fix the problems that cause negative impacts and go beyond to create positive value for all. A simple climate contribution of 1 tree with every booking, where a part of this cost will go to ZEERO is all that is needed to set up travel industry partners - it’s time that we start to take control of our destiny. For more information please email: nico@trees4travel.com
United Airlines is a force for good. We are building the future of sustainable flight, diversifying our flight deck and reimagining the entire flying experience to better serve those that fly with us. United Airlines opens a world of exploration and flies direct from Edinburgh, Dublin, London Heathrow and Shannon to seven U.S. cities including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington D.C. with connections to over 260 destinations across the Americas. During the summer months, United offers up to 23 daily flights from Heathrow and 4 from Edinburgh, with Scottish services seeing flights to New York year-round and seasonal service to Chicago and Washington D.C. From 6’6” lie-flat seats in United Polaris ℠, more space and more comfort in United Premium Plus ℠, the international premium economy seat, to United Economy Plus ℠ and United Economy ℠, there’s plenty of options to choose from to arrive relaxed and refreshed. United app, the all-in-one travel partner just keeps getting better and it’s a must for anyone travelling on United Airlines. Most recently, United became the first U.S. airline to allow Live Activities for iPhone users, which provides real-time flight status updates and more right from the lock screen, so you never even need to open the app. Click here for more information.
'Sustainable flight is too difficult’. Challenge accepted. Decarbonising aviation is one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced. It requires change at a scale that some say is too difficult, too complicated to make a reality. We disagree. At Virgin Atlantic we believe if we’re going to stand a chance at being successful then we’ve got to do things differently. That’s why we’ve transformed our fleet to be younger and more fuel efficient. And it’s why we’re taking action across every part of the customer journey, bringing a sustainability mindset to everything we do. It’s also why we’re leading the way in proving that flight on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be done. On 28th November 2023 Flight100 took to the skies. Pushing the boundaries on sustainable flight, it was the first time 100% SAF has been flown in both engines, by a commercial airline across the Atlantic, marking a significant milestone on the path to decarbonising aviation. Build your business in Bengaluru On 31st March 2024, we’re also starting up our engines for India’s startup capital – Bengaluru. This new service is our fourth daily service to India complementing its long-established double daily services between London Heathrow and Delhi, daily flying to Mumbai as well as its growing codeshare with IndiGo, India’s leading airline, which covers 34 destinations across India. Our flights are conveniently scheduled to arrive at London Heathrow in time for a seamless connection to all Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines US destinations including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, and San Francisco. And a big thank you from us Finally, we couldn’t be prouder to have landed not only Travel Partner of the Year - Long-Haul Airline but also Achievement in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Business Travel Awards Europe 2023. To all our valued partners, thank you for recognising us. It really means the world.